Antrim Area Hospital, Antrim - 09 October 2012 - Regulation and ...

and cupboards in Ward A3 domestic store required more thorough
cleaning.
In the treatment room of Ward A3 the inside of the two fridges was
grubby, and there were gaps in the fridge temperature checks.
There was no documentation to record failures in the cold chain and
the fridge containing medication was overfull and unlocked, a similar
issue in Ward C4.
Inspectors in Wards A3, C1 and C5 observed that adhesive tape was
used to attach labels or posters to surfaces which in some instances
had left a sticky residue, impeding the cleaning process.
Lime scale was observed on taps. Particular care is required to ensure
that lime scale is removed from taps and fittings as recent evidence
has shown that lime scale may harbour biofilms and the build-up of
lime scale can interfere with good cleaning and disinfection by masking
and protecting pathogens.
Cleaning issues such as dusty horizontal surfaces; skirting, windows
frames and excess toilet rolls were identified in rooms designated for
isolation purposes. Additionally in Ward A3 side room, where a patient
had a known infection, the light switch, wall panel, mirror, blind,
underside of the bedside table and bed frame all required a more
detailed clean and the waste pipe below the wash hand basin had a
significant build-up of residue.
Ward kitchens achieved a compliant score however there were some
issues in regard to more attention to detail when cleaning equipment,
horizontal surfaces and flooring that need addressed. In Wards C5
and A3 decanted products were not labelled, in Ward A3 gaps in the
temperature recordings for the fridge were noted.
6.2 Clutter
The provision of clutter free wards and effective utilisation of space and
good stock management assists with effective cleaning.
Of particular note was Bay 1 in Ward A3, a six bedded bay with little
space between beds, either vertically or horizontally, creating a very
cluttered appearance. Similarly in Ward A3, the nurses’ station was
cluttered with equipment, boxes were stored under the reception desk,
the shower room beside Bay 5 was cluttered with 3 raised toilet seats
and two shower chairs which would have created difficultly for patients
accessing the shower. Space was not sufficient to allow for effective
storage of equipment in the domestic store and items were observed
on the floor of the dirty utility room.
In Ward C4, the ENT day procedure clinic is located in the treatment
room and patients for all procedures are required to wait in the corridor
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